Terms & Dimensions
Learn about the different parts of a tennis court and their dimensions. Click on a diagram label to jump to that term in the list.
Total Court Size
A tennis court is 78 x 36 ft. (23.77 x 10.97 m) for Doubles play and 78 x 27 ft. (23.77 x 8.23 m) for Singles play.
- Court Length – 78 ft. (23.77 m)
- Court Width – 36 ft. (10.97 m)
- (Singles) Court Width – 27 ft. (8.23 m)
- Court Area – 2,808 sq. ft. (855.88 m)
Tennis courts require a clearance area surrounding the court, from the Baseline to the Backstop and Sidestop. Including this minimum clearance distance, a tennis court is 120 x 60 ft. (36.576 x 18.288 m) for international competition play or 114 x 56 ft. (34.747 x 17.069 m) for recreational and club play.
International competition play:
- Total Minimum Length – 120 ft. (36.576 m)
- Total Minimum Width – 60 ft. (18.288 m)
- Total Minimum Area– 7,200 sq. ft. (2,194.56 m)
Recreational and club play:
- Total Minimum Length – 114 ft. (34.747 m)
- Total Minimum Width – 56 ft. (17.069 m)
- Total Minimum Area– 6,384 sq. ft. (1,945.84 m)
Baseline
The Baseline runs parallel to the net and defines the boundary of the court’s length. It measures 36 ft. (10.97 m) in Doubles play, and 27 ft. (8.23 m) in Singles play.
The width of the baseline must be a minimum of 1 in. (2.54 cm) and can be up to 4 in. (10.16 cm).
Doubles Sideline
The Doubles Sideline runs perpendicular to the Net and Baselines and defines the boundary of the the court’s width in Doubles play. It measures 78 ft. (23.77 m).
Singles Sideline
The Singles Sideline runs perpendicular to the Net and Baselines defines the boundary of the the court’s width in Singles play. It measures 78 ft. (23.77 m).
Doubles Alley
The Doubles Alley is the area between the Singles Sideline and the Doubles Sideline. It measures 4.5 x (1.37 m) wide, and runs the length of the court on both sides. The Doubles Alley is only playable in Doubles play.
Backcourt
The area between the Baseline and the Service Line is known as the Backcourt.
Service Box
A tennis court has 4 Service Boxes. They are 21 ft. x 13.5 ft. (6.4 x 4.11 m), and are divided by the Net, the Service Line, and the Center Service Line.
The first serve of each game is made from the right side of the court behind the Baseline into your opponent’s Deuce Court Service Box (the Service Box to your left, and your opponent’s right). The next point’s serve is made to your opponent’s Ad Court Service Box (the Service Box to your right, and your opponent’s left). Each point thereafter alternates back and forth.
Service Line
The Service Line runs parallel to the Net and defines the boundary of the length of the Service Boxes. It is 27 ft. (8.23 m) in length and only extends to the Singles Sideline.
Center Service Line
The Center Service Line runs perpendicular to the Net and divides the Deuce Court Service Box from the Ad Court Service Box. It is 42 ft. (12.8 m) in total length.
Center Mark
The Center (Centre) Mark is perpendicular to the Baseline and divides it in half. It is 4 in. (10 cm) in length and 2 in. (5 cm) wide. It defines the boundary of the area you must serve from and its center is 13.5 ft. (4.11 m) from the Singles Sideline.
When serving, you must stand (behind the Baseline) in between the Center Mark and the Singles Sideline of the appropriate side of the court.
Net
The Net on a tennis court runs parallel to the Baseline and divides the court’s length in half. It is 42 ft. (12.8 m) in length and 3 ft. (.91 m) in width, making it 3 ft. (.91 m) high off the ground. It is held up by the Net Posts and extends 3 ft. (.91 m) past the Doubles Sidelines.
Backstop
The Backstop is any wall, fencing, fabric, or other surface that encloses the court and runs parallel to the Baseline. It marks the edge of the length of the clearance area around the court.
The minimum required distance from the Baseline to the Backstop is 21 ft. (6.4 m) for international competition play, and 18 ft. (5.48 m) for recreational and club play.
Sidestop
The Sidestop is any wall, fencing, fabric, or other surface that encloses the court and runs perpendicular to the Baseline. It marks the edge of the width of the clearance area around the court.
The minimum required distance from the Baseline to the Sidestop is 12 ft. (3.66 m) for international competition play, and 10 ft. (3.05 m) for recreational and club play.
